In this episode, host Kristi Mitchell dives deep into the challenges and triumphs of creating a marketing strategy that resonates with personal values. Joined by Dr. Carrie Graham, an expert in adult and workplace learning with over 25 years of experience, the discussion addresses the emotional and intellectual struggles business owners face in adopting marketing practices.

Despite her discomfort with marketing due to a lack of formal training, Dr. Graham highlights the necessity of implementing a consistent strategy for business growth. This episode explores the journey from relying solely on word-of-mouth referrals to adopting proactive marketing tactics. Kristi and Dr. Graham also touch on the importance of flexibility, personal comfort, and authenticity in marketing strategies.

Listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into:

• The importance of a well-defined marketing strategy for sustainable business growth.
• The challenges of adopting conventional marketing tactics that don’t align with personal values.
• The need for self-reflection to understand personal barriers in marketing.
• The benefits of working with collaborative service providers.
• How unique marketing strategies can honor the individuality of a business.

To learn more about Dr. Carrie Graham’s work and resources, visit her website atdr.carriegraham.com. Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and review the podcast to support and continue learning valuable marketing insights!

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

Welcome to Episode 21 of “Unfudge Your Marketing” with your host, Kristi Mitchell! In this solo episode, Kristi delves into current marketing trends and makes some insightful predictions for the future. Inspired by recent conversations with college students and their inquiries about the evolving landscape of marketing, Kristi shares her perspective on the role of AI and the shift towards using freelancers and contractors.

• Current Trends:
• Kristi discusses the noticeable trend of businesses adopting AI for content creation. She highlights the pitfalls of AI-generated content often lacking authenticity and personality.
• Personal Approach:
• Kristi introduces her approach to integrating AI without losing the essence of authentic content. She explains how she utilizes tools like CastMagic to repurpose her own content efficiently while maintaining her unique voice.

• Emerging Trend:
• Kristi touches on the growing popularity of small businesses leveraging freelancers or contractors for specialized marketing tasks. This approach offers cost benefits and the ability to access specific skills without the overhead of full-time employees.
• Pioneering the Shift:
• Kristi predicts a future where more businesses might move away from traditional marketing agencies in favor of specialized freelancers and strategic partners.

• Challenges with Agencies:
• Kristi shares insights from business owners who feel underserved by large marketing agencies. Common grievances include lack of personalized attention and one-size-fits-all strategies.
• Future Outlook:
• Kristi believes that the demand for more personalized and adaptable marketing solutions might challenge the traditional agency model.

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode ofUnfudge Your Marketing, Kristi Mitchell welcomes Jen Goldman, a business transformist with over 30 years of experience, to discuss the critical importance of having a strategic marketing plan. Jen shares her own journey and the costly mistakes she encountered by not revisiting her marketing strategy after a rebrand. They delve into the nuances of finding the right copywriters, the importance of data in evaluating marketing efforts, and the ongoing nature of marketing strategy.

Key Takeaways:

Initial Strategy is Crucial:

• Investing time and resources upfront in a strategic marketing plan can prevent costly mistakes down the line.

Revisit and Revise:

• Regularly revisit your marketing strategies to ensure they align with your business’s current state and market trends.

Finding the Right Team:

• Tips on choosing copywriters and other marketing experts, emphasizing the need for good communication, use of data, and specialized skills.

Marketing as an Ongoing Process:

• Marketing is not a “set it and forget it” task; it requires constant tweaking and attention.

Utilizing Tools and Metrics:

• The importance of using tools and metrics to track the effectiveness of your marketing activities.

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell welcomes Ray Trevino, a devoted entrepreneur and Chief Happiness Officer for Pioneer Texas LLC. Ray shares his journey of navigating marketing challenges, including hiring contractors and the importance of aligning marketing strategies with a company’s mission and vision. Discover valuable lessons on vetting marketing providers, the necessity of a strategic plan, and how foundational clarity can drive business success.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of ensuring marketing contractors understand your business.
• The significance of checking the background and portfolio of potential marketing providers.
• The need for a comprehensive strategic plan to guide marketing efforts.
• The risks of launching marketing efforts without a strong strategy in place.
• The role of mission, vision, and values in shaping effective marketing content.
• Insights on evolving marketing strategies as businesses grow and change.

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode of “Unfudge Your Marketing,” host Kristi Mitchell sits down with attorney Nicole Oden to discuss the challenges and lessons learned from Nicole’s past marketing experiences, specifically around managing her website. Nicole shares her journey from DIY efforts to outsourcing, the pitfalls encountered, and the critical importance of asking the right questions and setting up detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Listen in to discover how Nicole navigated the complexities of managing a WordPress site, the importance of having a clear contract, and how data-driven decision-making has helped her business grow.

Takeaways:

Trial Projects:

Test new providers with a small project first to evaluate their capabilities and fit.

Ask Specific Questions:

Ensure potential hires have experience with your specific technologies and needs.

Referrals and Vetting:

Be discerning about where your referrals come from and conduct independent vetting.

Contracts Matter:

Always have a clear written contract in place with termination provisions.

Implement SOPs:

Document your processes to streamline onboarding and improve operational efficiency.

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode of Unfudge Your Marketing, host Kristi Mitchell sits down with Andrew Stout, the host of the HR podcast Let’s Be Diverse. Andrew shares his insights on the challenges and misconceptions of starting a podcast, emphasizing the importance of persistence, rapport building, and passion-driven content. The conversation delves into effective podcast marketing strategies, and Kristi provides her perspective on using podcasts within a marketing funnel framework. Tune in to learn valuable lessons on sustaining and promoting a successful podcast.

Key Takeaways:

• Persistence and Asking:
• Andrew emphasizes the importance of not being afraid to hear “no” and continuing to ask for opportunities, as persistence can lead to eventual “yes” responses.
• Challenges of Starting a Podcast:
• Both Kristi and Andrew discuss how starting a podcast is not easy and requires a lot of dedication and consistent effort.
• Passion and Purpose:
• Andrew advises that having a clear passion and purpose is crucial for starting and maintaining a successful podcast, as this energy helps sustain long-term efforts.

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell and Bev Feldman delve into the intricacies of email marketing, focusing on qualitative data, engagement, and the importance of understanding how audiences interact with email content. They touch on the challenges of tracking email replies with platforms like Convertkit and Mailerlite, and emphasize the value of qualitative data from responses. They discuss the importance of monitoring metrics like spam complaints, open rates, and unsubscribe rates in context, alongside adapting strategies to individual and audience needs. Bev also shares insights on maintaining engagement through a strong initial relationship and an effective welcome sequence.

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

• The Importance of Market Research: Carol emphasizes the need for thorough research and understanding your audience’s needs before launching any offer. She shares a personal story of launching a retreat at the wrong time and the valuable lessons learned.
• Client Avatars Matter: Christy and Carol discuss the importance of developing clear client avatars to shape your marketing efforts. Knowing your audience’s goals and challenges helps craft content that resonates.
• Timing is Everything: From marketing to leadership development, the timing of your offer is crucial. Carol learned that launching during busy seasons (like fall for parents) or slower times (like summer) can affect success.
• Building Relationships through Conversations: Carol highlights how engaging with clients outside of sales moments fosters trust and builds stronger relationships. She explains how she involves her clients in product development, gaining valuable insights without pressuring them into a sale.

Actionable Tips:

1. Interview Your Audience: Before developing a new product or service, ask your potential clients directly what they need and what would make your offer a “no-brainer” for them.
2. Leverage Relationships: Use your existing client network to gather insights and generate referrals.
3. Be Transparent: Be upfront about what you’re offering, including time commitments, costs, and expected results. This builds trust and ensures your clients are fully informed.

Connect with Carol Stizza:

• LinkedIn: Carol Stizza
• Website: Relevant Insight

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Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episod, Kristi talks with Phil Oloo, the founder of Spatialists LLC. Phil shares his journey from Kenya to the United States, his career in architectural design and virtual reality, and his unique marketing experiences. The episode highlights the importance of establishing a strong brand, the challenges of social media marketing in the B2B space, and the value of building lasting relationships.

Connect with Phil Oloo:

• Website:
• Spatialists LLC

• LinkedIn:
• Phil Oloo

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com

In this episode, Kristi Mitchell chats with Keith Allen Johns about the ups and downs of marketing for service-based businesses and how to avoid common pitfalls. Keith shares his personal experiences and lessons learned from his marketing journey and offers practical advice on how to leverage powerful mindsets, tactics, and strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• Understand your business model and align your marketing strategy with it.
• Do not rely solely on spending money to solve marketing issues; active management and engagement are crucial.
• Foster collaborative relationships with marketing providers and ensure they are adaptable to your business needs.
• Focus on mastering one marketing channel at a time to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
• Be mindful of the products you choose to sell and their associated marketing requirements.
• YouTube offers evergreen potential, and its content can yield results for a long time compared to other social platforms.

Connect with Keith Allen Johns:

• LinkedIn:
• Keith Allen Johns
• Email: keith@keithallenjohns.com

Connect with Kristi Mitchell:

• Website:
• Kristi Mitchell Marketing
• LinkedIn:
• Kristi Mitchell

Tune in to future episodes of “Unfudge Your Marketing” for more insights and strategies to help you scale your service-based business!

Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review so you never miss a chance to unfudge your marketing.

Learn more about Kristi and get in touch with her to learn how to Unf*dge YOUR marketing: kristimitchell.com